Electricity connection to all by 2017 end, says CM Nitish Kumar

PATNA: Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has claimed that all the 1,06,218 rural settlements in Bihar would be provided electricity by the end of 2017. He said the survey for providing electricity to all the above-poverty-line (APL) families in the state was in the final stages and electrification works would commence before November 20, the day Nitish-led Grand Alliance government would present its first report card on its performance.

"Bihar would perhaps become the first state with electricity connection to every household," Nitish said while inaugurating an energy park and a mini stadium at Rajvanshi Nagar in the city. "Electricity connection will be provided free and the beneficiaries will be allowed to pay the expenses in small instalments over a period of time," Nitish said.

The CM also asked the energy department officials to renovate a closed power plant near Karbigahiya for tourism and museum purposes.

Sources said around 48 lakh APL families in Bihar do not have electricity connections. According to Census 2011, only 30.9 lakh households, comprising only 6.1% of the total population of the state, had access to electricity. The state had 10.40 crore population, as per the Census. The CM, however, said over 70,000 households have already been electrified.

Funds to the tune of Rs1,896 crore have been allocated for providing electricity to all APL families under the state government's seven resolves. "The per capita power consumption in Bihar has increased from 144 units in 2012 to 258 units in 2015-16. Besides, the overall power consumption in the state has increased from 1,751MW in 2012 to 3,769MW as on October 7 this year," Nitish said.

Energy department officials said around 5,000 prepaid electricity meters equipped with chips have been installed in Patna and such meters are also being installed for agriculture purposes in rural areas.

Energy department principal secretary Pratyaya Amrit claimed full electrification in Kishanganj and said Nalanda would become so soon.

Speaking about the park and the stadium, Pratyaya said, "Both the projects have been completed in record time of one year. While the park has been developed at Rs10.76 crore, the stadium cost Rs10.90 crore."